Immortal of the Ages

In the southern district of Sky Soaring City, there was a secluded courtyard.

Liu Mumu, with tender care, led Miss Yu to this place.

The courtyard was alive with fresh vegetation, obviously tended by careful hands, and the guest lodgings looked new, decorated with warmth and meticulousness.

Standing amidst the greenery, Liu Mumu's voice choked up, "This place was arranged by Lu An. He planned to fetch you from the Lu Immortal Manor soon, to surprise you…"

Miss Yu leaned on the pavilion, easing herself onto a bench, her trembling fingers reaching out to touch everything around her—the pillars, the stone table, the fragrance of plants filling the air…

Though she could no longer see, the image of her eldest son appeared in her heart, bringing a surge of sorrow she could only bear in silence.

"Miss Yu, this is your new home. Besides me and Lu An, no one knows about this place. Let us stay here for a while," Liu Mumu murmured, her voice still trembling, each word seemingly draining her strength.

At this point, she could no longer contain herself and knelt before Miss Yu, tears flowing, "I am sorry, so very sorry to you and to Lu An. Forgive me!"

"Commander Liu…" Miss Yu quickly felt for her, grasping her arm and pulling her to her feet, shaking her head. "Don't blame yourself. You don't bear guilt. If his spirit is still out there, he would not blame you either… This is not your fault."

The turmoil within Liu Mumu was palpable. "Please rest assured, Miss Yu. Regardless of whether what Madame Lu said is true, I will find out everything and give you both an answer."

Miss Yu shook her head, her face marked with grief. "Let it be, let it be. Even if it is as she said, what can you do?"

"I…" Liu Mumu felt a sharp pain in her heart. She really didn't know what to do next. But looking up, seeing Miss Yu trying to hide her broken heart, a surge of vengeance rose within her.

Liu Mumu had found her resolve. She gripped Miss Yu's hand with a newfound determination.

"Heaven and earth have their own sense of justice, and evil will always meet its end. I have no other desires in this life but to bring justice for Lu An, even if it costs me my last breath," Liu Mumu declared.

After speaking, she rose to her feet, her mind set. "Miss Yu, you stay here and find peace. I need to return to the Liu estate. No matter what, we need to know the truth..."

"No, no, please don't put yourself in danger for me," Miss Yu pleaded in distress.

"My mind is made up," Liu Mumu said firmly, clutching Miss Yu's hand tighter before suddenly letting go and stepping back.

"Don't go..." Miss Yu murmured, her soul seeming to leave her as she sat back, shaking her head helplessly.

Watching Miss Yu in this state only deepened Liu Mumu's sense of guilt. Fortunately, at that moment, the image of a young boy flashed through her mind. With him still around, no matter what she faced, at least there was someone who could look after Miss Yu in the future. What then was there to fear?

With her heart chilled like frost, Liu Mumu left the courtyard and returned to the Liu estate. Upon her arrival, a servant hurried forward with a smile. "Miss, you’re back from the Thunder Department?"

"Where are my father and brother?" Liu Mumu asked coldly.

"You're looking for them?" The servant scratched his head. "Unfortunately, they just stepped out."

"Where did they go?" she pressed, frowning.

"I don't know. They took a sword vessel; they might be on a long trip. Perhaps they went to the Thunder Department and just missed you," the servant said with an awkward smile. "If it’s urgent, you could send a flying talisman to them."

Without needing his suggestion, Liu Mumu produced a special talisman from the Liu Family, a child-parent talisman set. Her father, Liu Zongyu, had the parent talisman, so her child talisman would automatically seek him out. But when she ignited the talisman, it circled above her head and then dimly fell to the ground, its magic extinguished.

"Their journey must have taken them beyond the reach of the talisman." The servant chuckled foolishly. "Looks like they didn't go to the Thunder Department."

Liu Mumu gave him a cold stare and turned to leave, leaving the butler bewildered.

"What’s gotten into her today? The lady seems out of sorts..."

▬ι══🪦✧⚰️✧🪦══ι▬

The evening of the next day settled over the Thunder Department.

Within the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office, in the Hall of Soaring Thunder, Yun Xiao sat cross-legged in his cultivation chamber, his eyes closed in deep meditation.

A full day had passed since Yun Xiao had eliminated Mo Rouyu in the second round of the selection.

Now, as nightfall approached once again, the rhythm of the selection quickened due to the dwindling number of participants.

Throughout the day, Yun Xiao had faced three more elimination rounds. Including the battles against Dongfang Yong and Mo Ruoyu, he had now survived five rounds.

The competition was more than halfway through. From nearly 10,000 competitors at the start, each round had halved the participants. Now, after five rounds, only 288 prodigies remained to fight in the Nine Thunders Arena.

From nearly 10,000 to 288, it meant that the vast majority of talented Arbiters had been eliminated. Starting with the sixth round, anyone who had made it this far would undoubtedly be among the elite of the Thunder Department.

Among these 288 remaining, those who had advanced merely on luck were virtually non-existent. Of course, many seeded players had also been eliminated early by stronger opponents.

The Thunder Department aimed to filter out the top nine, each needing to secure nine consecutive victories. While five consecutive wins could include some less competent fighters, nine consecutive victories assured no weak links; after all, it was a series of duels, not team battles.

"Just four more battles to go, likely finishing up tomorrow or the day after," Yun Xiao thought.

After a grueling series of five battles, the selection paused, giving the remaining 288 elite geniuses a night to rest. As dawn broke the next day, the selection battles would continue.

For Yun Xiao, nightfall was a rare opportunity for reflection and consolidation of his cultivation.

Previously, Gu Suwan had gifted him 50,000 True Immortal Jades. There was still room for improvement. Returning to the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion, Yun Xiao didn’t pause for a moment, replenishing himself with the Tri Heaven Sariras and Origin Orbs that Red Moon and Blue Star produced.

As dusk settled, Yun Xiao achieved a breakthrough.

"Establishment Essence Manifestation Realm!"

This was the last stage within the Essence Manifestation Realm.

The next step would be uniting his spirit and will, the Divine Self Realm.

Yun Xiao had little concept of this realm and knew he needed to contemplate its mysteries.

"How many more Tri Heaven Sariras and Origin Orbs are left? Let’s see if I can ascend directly to the Divine Self Realm tonight," Yun Xiao asked the little black creature lying on its back playing with its belly.

"Huh?" Red Moon paused, baffled.

Blue Star licked his lips and chuckled. "None left!"

"None?" Yun Xiao’s eyes widened as he grabbed their scruffs and lifted them to his face, his teeth gritted, "50,000 True Immortal Jades, and you're telling me it's all gone after just two batches?"

Blue Star smiled sheepishly. "Don't be hasty, you’re in a precarious situation, so we skimmed some off the top, just in case."

"Using that excuse again? Tell me, how much did you skim?" Yun Xiao demanded.

Red Moon rolled his eyes, pretending to be dead.

Blue Star wanted to do the same, but Yun Xiao forcibly pulled his eyelids open.

"The truth will set you free, resistance will only make it worse."

"Well... uhh…" Blue Star stuttered.

"Out with it!"

"Seventy to eighty percent!" Blue Star blurted in one breath.

So, basically eighty percent!

"Are you even human? Do you even have a conscience? Am I just a workhorse to you?" Yun Xiao said, exasperated.

"We’re not human," Red Moon stated matter-of-factly.

"…"

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